About Our Program
Founded in 1997, in response to a community need, Northridge Hospital Medical
Centers CATS program is the only 24 hour, 7 day-a-week program for victims
of domestic and sexual assault and child victims of sexual abuse of all ages in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita
Valleys of Los Angeles County, California.

CATS has three service components:

1)

Medical evidentiary examinations and forensic interviews for victims and witnesses of crime provided in a
supportive environment by specially trained Forensic Nurse
Examiners;

2)

Case managed counseling and referrals provided by the Valley Trauma Center; and

3)

Outreach and training. This website only addresses outreach and training,
not clinical matters.

CATS works with law enforcement, child protective services, and the District
Attorneys office to assist with the collection of evidence, proper
reporting of abuse and follow-up investigation. CATS also collaborates with
the local rape crisis center to provide advocates and post abuse treatment
for victims; and with local community-based organizations to provide training
and education for mandated child abuse reporters.

Prevention is the Key
CATS has provided prevention education to many thousands of individuals
including: children, parents, child care providers, law enforcement,
teachers, healthcare workers, and other community organizations. Prevention
is the key to decreasing the incidence of child abuse in our community.
CATS is dedicated to preventing sexual abuse and assault by:

Increasing awareness

Empowering individuals

Encouraging reporting

Together We Can Stop Child Abuse
Sexual and physical abuse robs so many of our children of their childhood, their
sense of security and well being, and their future. Sexual abuse and assault affects
an alarming number of children and adults from all ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic
backgrounds. With the help of individual like you, CATS can expand its outreach in the
community.